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Every upright citizen was required to be defend the home turf: many versions of the scheme were organised by the wealthy[landed] and the merchants: each had their version of "home guard" not unlike the The Helvitians of to-day and the wealthy new turks with their security system. So many names for keeping ones wealth in the family. We may change the names of home turf defense[trained bands, territorials, national service, home guard etc., gangs for less educated] but underlining idea has not change - don't take my money{or my 'ife}

When I was 14 or so I was forced to read the poem "John Gilpin" by William Cowper. The fist verse has remained with me ever since, and so every time "trainbands" are mentioned in the diary I mentally run through the first verse. Here is a link to the poem:http://www.themediadrome.com/content/poetry/cow...It will perhaps give some insight into the calibre of person involved in the trainband (think "Dad's Army"). Probably best read out loud to some like-minded friends after few drinks.

Without the Trained Bands, the civil war of 1641-48 would never have taken place. They were the only armed force in the area of London and they sided with Parliament, allowing it force the King out of the city. They also saved the day for Parliament at a crucial point in the second year of the war, marching across the country to relieve the city of Gloucester.

Captains of the Artillery Garden provided officers for the London Trained Bands, a citizen militia, most notably when they assembled at Tilbury Camp in 1588 to oppose the Spanish Armada.� Members of the Artillery Company fought on both the Royalist and Parliamentary sides during the English Civil War of 1642 to 1649; the City of London was predominantly Parliamentarian.� Although the Company�s silver was lost during the Civil War, its archives survive from 1657 onwards.� Since 1633 the HAC has been governed by a Court of Assistants, like many of the City Livery Companies, and a number of committees are appointed by the Court.� The first Annual General Court for which a record can be found was held in 1660.

The Company has always had strong connections with the City of London. In the early part of the 17th Century the Court of Aldermen appointed the chief officers and paid the professional soldiers who trained members of the Company.� The Lord Mayor and Aldermen are honorary members of the Court of Assistants.